HOW TO BECOME A GEAR
TESTER IN THREE EASY STEPS
STEP 3
APPLYING TO TEST GEAR

Ready to test some gear? Good. From time to
time announcements are made through the BackpackGearTest Yahoo
group. You should monitor this group carefully because test calls go
out periodically and are closed after about a week. You must get
your tester application in before the test call closes. There are
just a few rules to remember when applying for gear:

Don't apply for gear that you can't reasonably expect
to test. (If you live and hike in Hawaii, for instance, don't
apply for a snowshoe test.)

Do not apply for a test if you are unable to spend the
time and effort to gain the experience with the gear necessary to
write complete and impartial reports over the six month period typical
of these gear tests.

Do not apply for a test if you are currently testing a
similar item. (If you are already testing a backpack, do not
apply for another backpack test until the first one is complete.
Exceptions to this rule may be made, but contact a moderator before
applying.)

When you accept gear to be tested, you accept the
responsibility to test that gear fairly and to complete all three
reports required. Additional requirements may also have to be fulfilled
for some tests. Do not apply if you aren't going to finish.

If, through accident, misfortune, or circumstances
beyond your control you can not complete a test that you have started,
contact your monitor or a moderator immediately so that arrangements
can be made to have another tester complete the tests.

Unless noted otherwise, after you complete all three
tests, the gear being tested becomes your property. Items do not
become the property of the tester until after all required
reports have been uploaded.

You must read Chapter 5 of the BackpackGearTest
Survival Guide, and you must indicate in your test application
that you have read it and will follow all instructions and fulfill all
requirements. Failure to do this will cause your application
to be rejected automatically. This document is updated from
time to time, so you should review it from time to time.

When you see a test call that appeals to you, it's time to
create a test application. Like an owner review, your test
application should be clear and easy to follow. Your application
should be complete, since incomplete applications are discarded with no
notice. The test group will be selected based on parameters
specified by the manufacturer and to include a broad spectrum of hiker
types, styles, and locations as appropriate for that particular
item.

So, what is involved in a tester application? Well,
your biography, for one, field information for two, and a list of
previously completed reports. The general outline looks like this:

Nothing to it! Let's look at an example. Instructional
notes are in red. Let's use the same example we used for our
owner review. You see an application for the Maglite Solitaire, and
you would be interested in testing one. Your application would look
something like this:

Please accept my application to test the Maglite
Solitaire. I have read Chapter Five of the BackpackGearTest
Survival Guide, version 0802, and I will follow all requirements.
You should include the version number when referring
to the Survival Guide. Always check, because the Survival
Guide is updated from time to time. If it has changed since
the last time you read it, you may want to refresh yourself.

Backpacking Background: I started backpacking five years
ago, mostly taking weekend trips and occasionally going out for a
whole week. I like my pack to be as light as possible, but I
don't really consider myself a lightweight backpacker. I
normally hike in hard, mountainous terrain, and I frequently
encounter snow and freezing temperatures.

Backpacking Background applicable to this test: (For
specific tests, it may be necessary to add additional biographical
information. For example, it may be necessary to add
additional measurement information such as torso, inseam, etc. for
applications for other types of gear such as backpacks or
clothing. Including information in both English and Metric
units is a good idea, and it is better to include too much
information than not enough. For this particular test, no
additional background is needed.)

Field Information: I intend to test the light on several
upcoming meteorite hunting trips. I will be out for several
multi-day trips in and around the Barrow, Alaska area in cold,
mountainous terrain. The average temperature will be 32
Degrees Fahrenheit (0 Degrees Celsius), with an average elevation
of 5,000 Feet (1524 Meters) above sea level. I will be
hiking with four season gear, and an average pack weight of 45
Pounds (20 Kilograms) I plan to test the light under hard,
cold conditions and evaluate it for usefulness as a small-task
light and as a backup light for my headlamp. I currently use
a Princeton Tec Aurora headlamp, but I don't carry a backup.
I am interested in the Solitaire because it is light, streamlined,
and uses the same batteries as my headlamp.

Previously Written Reports:

You only need to include two
reports that are indicative of your reporting abilities and
style. Generally speaking, these should be your last two
completed test series. If you have not yet completed any
test series, include your owner reviews. Failure to
include this information will result in your application being
rejected automatically.

Since John Backpacker isn't
a real person, and doesn't have any reports, I have used my own
reports as an example.

Owner Reviews:

(For owner reviews, include a link
directly to the owner review file.)

(While serving as a Test Monitor will not
buy you any special or extra consideration, serving as a Test
Monitor shows your commitment to BackpackGearTest. Include
links to the main Sub-Category folder for the tests you are
Monitoring.)

Check your application carefully, then post it to the BackpackGearTest
Yahoo group. Be sure to include APPLICATION TO TEST (Name of
item) in the subject line. If, after posting it, you realize that
you have made a mistake, make corrections and repost the entire
application.

If you are selected for a test, the Moderator will contact you off-list
for additional information such as your mailing address, product choice
options, and sizing. Respond promptly or a substitute will be
chosen. If you think you are going to be unavailable at the close of
the test call, notify the Moderator and give him/her your address,
telephone number, and other information you feel appropriate so that if
you are selected for a test and you are unavailable you will not miss your
chance to test the gear.

The Moderator for each test series will normally try to post a message
to the group letting everyone know that the testers have been selected.

Once selected, you will receive a notification letting you know who the
Monitor is for the test. The Monitor is responsible for keeping
track of report due dates and helping testers when they need help.
Please communicate with your Monitor, and let him/her know any problems or
difficulties you encounter. When you receive the item, it is
customary to notify the list that you have received the item, and that
your initial report will be posted shortly. You have one week to
submit the initial report.

Once you begin, you are officially a tester. You can apply for as
many tests as you like, as long as you have the time to do a fair and
honest job of testing each item thoroughly and finishing the test
series. Don't be discouraged if you aren't chosen right away or for
every test for which you apply. Keep trying, and welcome aboard.

Product tested and reviewed in each Formal Test Report has been provided free of charge by the manufacturer to BackpackGearTest.org. Upon completion of the Test Series the writer is permitted to keep the product. Owner Reviews are based on product owned by the reviewer personally unless otherwise noted.